About

Harry Hayden Whiteley, architect

History:

“Lot sales reported. W.I. Hollingsworth & Co., through E. A. Weber, report the following lot sales at Griffith Park Terrace Tract: To Frank M. Benton, John van Breton, John T. Allen, Andrew R. Chapman, J. C. Clausen, Mrs. Lawrence Farrell, Franklin P. Wilson, Elliott & Horne, Otto H. Hirschner, Mrs. Jennie R. Barrere, Will L. Peck, R. T. Nourse, Elsa Maywald, Mrs. E. M. Gobach, W. P. Wilson, Loyal Hamilton, L. L. Nichol, J. P. Hesnorich, Dr. C. C. Heller, and James M. McFarland” (Source: Los Angeles Times, 04/06/19, p.1)

James William McFarland owned a radiator manufacturing & repair business which served the fledgling automobile industry. The family purchased 2 1/2 acres at the eastern end of Cromwell Ave. in 1918. At that time Cromwell ended at Wayne which did not yet connect to Los Feliz. The Griffith Company subdivided the area in the mid-1920s. Cromwell was extended eastward to connect with Amesbury. The property in 1918 was a lot surrounded on all sides by vacant land.

Children Elswurth and Virginia returned to the home in the 1980s and provided photo albums and reminiscences to contemporary residents, the McCollums. Light fixtures, door knobs, and hinges were manufactured in MacFarland’s radiator shop. A story was published in the Los Feliz Observer, Spring, 1992,p. 7, “The Early Years on Cromwell Avenue” by Lee McCollum.

H. H. Whiteley, 428 Stony Building, preparing plans for 2s residence: for J. W. McFarland. 12-rooms, 3-bath, concrete foundation, brick veneer, stucco finish, green tile roof, garage and living quarters. (Source: sw b&c, p.14, dk)

N. Vermont Av near Los Feliz road.

1930 census:
4111 W. Cromwell Avenue: (Value: $30,000): 1) James W. McFarland, owner and head of household; 50 year old white married male; married at age 26; born in Utah; parents born in Indiana; proprietor of a radiator manufacturing business. 2) Margaret McFarland, wife; 44 year old white married female; married at age 20; born in Indiana; father born in Germany, mother in Indiana; not working. 3) Virginia McFarland, daughter; 20 year old single white female; in school; born in California. 4) Elswurth McFarland, son; 16 year old single white male; in school; born in California. 5) Johanna Wurth, mother-in-law; 73 year old white female widow; married at age 18; born in Indiana; parents born in Germany; not working.

1940 Census:
4111 Cromwell Avenue (Rents for $90): 1) Charles B. Gaunt, head of household; white married male 53 years of age; born in Iowa; accountant; earns $1,350. 2) Maude C. Gaunt, wife; white married female 54 years of age; born in Nebraska; not working. 3) Janis C. Gaunt, daughter; white single female 21 years of age; born in Nebraska; in school.